Harry vernon seale and wilton shellshear



H. V. SEALE AND W. SHELLS HEAR. CONCENTRATION OF ORES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 30. l9l5.

1,31 1,91 9. Patented Aug. 5,1919.

Ill

A H'drney.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WALES, AUSTRALIA, ASSIGNORS, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO MINERALS SEPA- RATION NORTH AMERICAN CORPORATION.

CONCENTRATION OF' ORES.

Application filed June 30, 1915.

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in the concentration of sulfid and other ores by what is commonly known as flotation separation. This invention is especially applicable to froth flotation separation in which the ores are subjected to aeration in an aqueous separating medium in the presence of a frothing agent for the formation of a froth or scum of the metalliferous mineral particles as is described, for example, in the United States Letters Patent No. 835120 of November 6, 1906; No. 962,678 of June 28, 1910; and No. 1,064,723 of June 17 1913.

This invention is equally applicable to collectiveseparation in which'an indiscriminate float concentrate of metalliferous minerals is obtained as well as to differential or preferential flotation separation in which afloat concentrate of certain metalliferous minerals from other metalliferous minerals is obtained.

This invention is applicable to the treatment of ores, concentrates, tailings, slimes or other metallurgical products and it will be understood that in this specification the term -ores will include all such metallurgical products as well as crude materials.

Simplicity, economy, efficiency and rehability of construction and operation are the objects of the invention. u

According to the present invention 1n the concentration of ores by flotation-separation, the ore pulp is fed by gravity with inclosure thereof in suitable conduits, and at intervals in the gravity flow of the ore. irruption of air to the inclosed pulp, and atomization or emulsification of the air, I are caused soas to effect that degree of agitation and aeration of the pulp necessary'for froth flotation. At other intervals in the flow of the pulp a condition of relative quiescence is produced such as will permit Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 5, 1919.

Serial No. 37,350.

the removal of froth by flotation, and the froth is removed at these places of relative quiescence. Also according to the present invention a gravity flow of the pulp is pro duced with suflicient violence to induce irruption and atomization ofair and the froth is removed at successive points in the course of the gravity flow and the operation is regulated by adding liquid to the pulp at successive points in the flow of the pulp.

The expressions air and aeration are used in the following claims as understood in the art and are intended to include other suitable gases and gasification, as indeed air as but a mixture of gases in somewhat varymg proportions.

Apparatus embodying the invention comprises a plurality of separating vessels and closed conduits arranged to convey the pulp by gravity through the separating vessels successively and air-injecting means interposed in the conduits and operatable by the gravity flow of pulp therein to inject air intothe pulp. Such apparatus may comprise also a baffle arrangement for insuring the proper emulsification or atomization of the air for the froth flotation process.

In order that the invention may be better understood we will now proceed to describe the invention with reference to the accompanying sheet of drawings in which Figure 1 shows the arrangement of plant comprising a number of separating vessels in series.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of one separating vessel and feed device therefor.

Fig. 3 shows a modified arrangement for effecting the purposes of this invention.

Each separating unit preferably comprises a separating box A and a feed box B. The separating boxes A may be made of any convenient shape but we have found in practice that a cylindrical shape'well answers the purpose. These feed boxes B are open at the top and are also of any level of the pulp or separating medium therein. The feed pipe B delivers onto. a baflie A arranged within the separating box Each separating box Ais provided with launder A for the float concentrates the and a circular .bafiie A surrounding feed pipe B for the purpose of maintalninga statepf quiescence on the surface of the pulp in the separating vessel A. The ves- 'sel A is also furnished with an outflow 'A 10. regulated; Leading from the outflow A concentrates. I v

'- series for the purpose of equal zing the apparatus. In operatlon the pulp is fed from the equalizing feed. box E into the first open I '25 feed'ibox B whence it flows by thefeed pipe for the unfloated residues which is. pro:

vided-with a 'removable'annular plug or ring whereby the size of the same may be is a pipe or duct C which discharges into the next feed box 3 of the series. A main '.water pipe D is provided having taps or faucets D" adapted to discharge into the feed boxes B whereby the level therein may be adjusted and compensation made for losses occasioned by the withdrawal of A common feed boxmr vessel- E'may be provided at the head of the feed soas to insure aregular flow to the B into the first separating box or vessel A being delivered under the surface of the liquid striking the baflle A. The float con-' centrates rise and overflow into the launder FA whilethe unfloated residues flow out through the hollow plug A and the pipe --or duct C to the next feed box Bin the series and so on. The feed boxes B are open at the top and the flow of material there'- intoby the pipe C causesa vigorous agitation. The outflow through the pipes or tubes B";;from the feed box B has a slight excess capacity over the flow' of material therethroughso'that a vortex or swirling action is set up which'entraps air within the said pipes or tubes Bby the flow of material itself thereby insuring the requisite aeration necessary for the thorough emulsification of the ulp to effect flotation. The head or 'hei ht -of the feed'box 'diately onto the baflie ,thorough emulsification 1s insured.

B above the separating ox 'A' is such asflto regulate-the flow of material to insure the aforesaidentrapping of air.

plate A by which The outflow through the hollow plugs A is controlled and regulated by adj ust-' ing the size thereof so that-by having a seriesof hollow plugs A of definitecon-.

stantv size the whole of the I plant is self regulating providing the equalizing feed box E at the top is kept at a constantlevel ing or other means adopted for maintaining a constant feed. Water or aqueous separate medium is addedto the various feed boxes B by the taps or faucets D to compensate for that removed with the float concentrates and maintain a constant level with- The pulp with, its entrapped air discharges immemam in the separating boxes A. This mayalso flow orifices. in the hollow plugs A". I

In practicethe relative sizes or'dimensions of the various partsof the apparatus will [.be effected by varying the size of the outbe regulated and adjusted aS maybe required to effect the purposes of this invention. We wish it to be understood that we do not confine ourselves to "any precise sizes and dimensions but by way of illustration we may mention that weh'ave succes sfully treated Broken Hill zinc-lead sulfid ores crushed to pass through a 40 mesh s1eve and feeding. at the rate of 20 tons per hour in a plant asillustr'ated in .Figs.

1 and 2 of the; accompanying drawings with] the separating boxes A fifteen inches in' diameter and twenty-four inchesdeep and therest 'of the plant of proportional dimenslons approximately as shown In the plant-illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 the feed boxes B are open atthe top to allow ofthe'entrapping of the air within the feed pipes B by the flowuofmaterial itself. Other means maybe provided for f allowing of an inlet ofair into the said feed .pipe' or tube B. For example in the construction illustrated in Fig. 3 the feed pipe is provided with air inlets B through which air may be drawn infor the aeration Tof the pulp. In this case the feed boxes may. be'dispensed with and the separating boxes" A connected direct from one to the other bythe pipe B in sequence with'sufe ficient'jheight or head to insure the necessary flow of material.

. The inventive idea and process embodiedin the foregoing specific apparatus may be 1 embodied and applied in; other specific forms of apparatus by the exercise-of the'yt'e'chni cal skill of the art, and still other adaptations may the scope of the following claims. We claim:

1. The process of concentrating ores e inventively devised, allw ithin consists in producing a gravity flow of ore" pulp with portions moving at high velocity and other portions in a state of relative quiescence, in thev presence of a mineral frothingagent, and dropping the pulp-in portions moving at highvelocity into'port1ons in a state of relative quiescence and be- I subdivlde the entrained airan agitate and aerate the pulp in that degree necessary for froth flotati'on, and removing the froth flotation from such consists n .pfoduci'nga violent gravity flow relatively quiescent 'pori tions of the ffpulp. v 1 l I 2. The process of concentrating ores whlch so of ore pulp into a relatively quiescent body of pulp in the presence of a mineral frothing agent, by dropping the pulp into said relatively quiescent body and below the liquid level of'said relatively quiescent body, with inclosure of the pulp at its point of entrance intosaid relatively quiescent body, and thereby carrying air into said relatively quiescent body with such hydraulic violence of pulp flow as to subdivide the entrained air and agitate and aerate the pulp in that degree necessary for mineral-froth-flotation, and removing the mineral froth by flotation from the surface of such relatively quiescent body of pulp.

3. The process of concentrating ores which consists in producing a violent gravity flow of ore pulp into a relatively quiescent body of pulp in the presence of a mineralfrothing agent, by dropping the pulp into said quiescent body, with inclosure of the dropping pulp, except for access of air at the upper portion of the dropping pulp, the inclosure being continued to a point below the liquid level of the relatively quiescent body, so as to carry air with the dropping pulp below the surface of said relatively quiescent body and thereby cause irruption of air in the quiescent body of pulp and eflect therein that degree of agitation and aeration necessary for froth flotation and the formation of a mineral-bearing froth at the surface of the quiescent pulp body, and separating such froth.

4. The process of concentrating ores which consists in producing a gravity flow of ore pulp containing a mineral-frothing agent, with rapid movement in portions of such flow and relative quiescence at other portions of such flow, and delivering the rapidly moving portions of the pulp to the relatively quiescent bodies of the pulp by dropping the pulp with inclosure thereof except for access of air at upper portions of such dropping pulp, the inclosure being continued to points below the liquid levels of the relatively quiescent bodies of such pulp, so as to carry air with the pulp below the surface of such relatively quiescent bodies of pulp and thereby. to cause irruption of air in such quiescent bodies of pulp and effect that degree of agitation and aeration of the pulp necessary for mineral-froth-flotation and the formation of mineral-bearing froth at the surfaces of such quiescent bodies of pulp, and separating such froth.

gravity flow of the pulp, and adding liquid to the pulp at successive points in its flow in a measure to compensate for the liquor removed with the froth and to regulate the pulp flow.

6. The process of concentrating ores by froth-flotation which consists in producing a gravity flow of ore pulp containing a mineral-frothing agent with sufficient violence to induce irruption and subdivision of air and aeration of the pulp in that degree necessary to form a mineral-bearing froth,

producing relative quiescence of the pulp at successive points in the course of said gravity flow, removing the froth by flotation at such quiescent places, and adding liquid to the pulp at successive points in its flow in a measure to compensate for the liquor removed with the froth and to regulate the pulp flow.

7. Apparatus for the concentration of ores by froth flotation comprising a number of separating vessels at successive levels, and closed conduits including air-injecting means operatable by pulp flow to entrain air into the conduits with the pulp, said conduits being arranged to convey the pulp by gravity through said separating vessels successively and to deliver the pulp flow to each vessel below the liquid level therein with hydraulic violence resulting from gravity sufficient to subdivide said entrained air and aerate and agitate the pulp below said liquid level in each separating vessel in that degree necessary to form a mineral-bearing flotation froth.

8. Apparatus for the concentration of ores by froth flotation comprising a number of separating vessels at successive levels, closed conduits including air-injecting means operatable by pulp flow to entrain air into the conduits with the pulp, said conduits being arranged to convey the pulp by gravity through said separating vessels successively and to deliver the pulp flow to each vessel below the liquid level therein with hydraulic violence resulting from gravity sufficient to subdivide said entrained air and aerate and agitate the pulp below said liquid level in each separating vessel in that degree necessary to form a mineral-bearing flotation froth, and a quieting battle in each separating vessel disposed between the point of pulp delivery thereto and the liquid level therein.

9. Apparatus for the concentration of ores by froth flotation comprising a number of separating vessels at successive levels, agitation battles in said vessels below their liquid levels. and closed conduits including airinjecting means operatable by pulp flow to entrain air into the conduits with the pulp, said conduits being arranged to convey the pulp by gravity through said separating vessels successively and deliver the pulp flow agitate the pulp below said liquid level in each separating vessel in that degree necessary to form a mineral-bearing flotation froth, the agitation baflles being located in the path of the rapidly falling pulp.

10. Apparatus for the concentration of ing a pulp-operated air injector and of such length as to deliver air and pulp at high velocity produced by gravity flow therein into the said separating vessel below the surface of the. liquid therein, and a baffle arranged within the said separating vessel in the path of the inflowing air and pulp.

14. Apparatus for the concentration of ores by flotation-separation comprising a f separating vessel havinga regulatable resi ores by froth flotation comprising a number! dues outflow at the bottom, and a feed box of separating vessels at successive levels, agitation balfles in said vessels below their liquid levels, closed conduits includingairinjecting means operatable by pulp flow to entrain air into the conduits with the pulp, said conduits being arranged to convey the pulp by'gravity through said separating vessels successively and deliver the pulp flow to each vessel below its liquid level and against 1its agitation baflie with hydraulic violence resulting from gravity suflicientto subdivide said entrained air/and aerate and agi tate the pulp below said liquid level in each separating vessel in that degree necessary to form a mineral-bearing flotation froth,

and a quieting baflle in each separating vessel disposed between its liquid level and the point-of pulp delivery against its agitation baflle. I i I 11. Apparatus for the concentration of ores by froth flotation comprising a separating vessel, an agitation baflie therein below its liquid level, a source of ore'pulp, and a closed conduit including air-injecting means operatable by pulp flow to entrain air into the conduit with the pulp, said conduit being arranged to convey the pulp by grav- .ity from said source and deliver it to the separating vessel below its liquid level and against its agitation b-aflie with hydraulic violence resulting from gravity sufficient to subdivide said entrained air and aerate and agitate the 'pulp below said liquid level in the separating vessel in that degree neces-,

sary to form a mineral-bearing flotation froth.

' velocity produced by gravity flow therein into the said separating vessel below the 12. Apparatus for the concentration of ores by flotationseparation "comprising a separating vessel having a residues outflow at the bottom, afeed box open at the top and having an inflow pipe at '-the side thereof and adischarge pipe at the bottom forming'a pulp-operated air injector and of such length as to deliver'air and pulp at high surface of the liquid therein.

1 3. Apparatus for the concentration of ores by flotat10n-separation comprising a separating vessel having a residues outflow I at the bottom a feed box open at the top and" having a discha ge pipe at the bottom forniopen at the topand having a discharge pipe at the bottom forming a pulp-operated air injector and of such length as to deliver air and pulp at high velocity produced by gravity flow therein into the said separating vessel below the surface of the liquid therein.

15.- Apparatus for the concentration" of. v

ones by flotation-separation comprising a separating vessel having 'a regula table resii dues outflow at the bottom, a feed box open at the top and having a discharge pipe "at the bottom forming a, pulp-operated 'a1r 1njector and of such length as to deliver air and pulp at high velocity produced by gravity flow therein-into the'said separating vessel below the surface of the liquid .th'ere in, and an agitating baflie arranged within the said separating vessel in the path ofthe and pulp at high velocity produced-by grav-.

ity flow therein into the said separating vessel below the surface of the liquid therein, and an agitating baflle arranged within 1 the said separating vessel in the path of the inflowing air and pulp. r 17. In combination, a plurality of separatmeans adapted to inject air into'the pulp-by the flow of the ulp, the dischargemeans of the feed means of the lower, and provided with regulating means adapted to control the volume of pulp discharge and thereby the injection of air into Said pulp."

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures in presence of two witnesses ing' receptacles each having pulp delivery.

the higheroft e seriesbeing connected to.

HARRY VERNON ,ISEALE.

WILTON SHELLSHEA-R.

Witnesses: ANTHONY HALL,

STEPHEN EDGAR WELLINGTON. 

